Culture Value Orientations: Changing Society by Understanding Culture Culture consists of collective forms of human intelligence. Through each of these various forms, one can find unique identity characteristics from culture to culture. Characteristics such as differing beliefs and value systems on topics include: relationships, power, gender roles, and political stances. Cultural identity is important because it allows diversity which prohibits everyone from being the same. In each culture, there are factors which influence members both collectively and individually. These factors include but are not limited to: organization of public and private environments, mass mediated communications, and relationship roles. By taking the time
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Identifying Culture
To pinpoint a single, exact, uncontroversial definition of culture would be a difficult task. In its broad sense, culture is a collection of information or meanings that is shared between individuals or groups, and maintained across generations over a period of time (Kashima, 2010). Culture is therefore both influential to society and significant to the formation of collective and individual self-concepts of identity (Kashima, 2010). As such, culture is a vital concept to understand.
Culture Through Architecture A lot can be discovered about a country’s culture through their architecture. Architecture is evidence for a country’s history and where their roots began (Gardiner, 2011). Examples of this can be seen in many countries such as the colosseums of Rome, the pyramids of Egypt, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Europe. These are all significant examples of architecture which serve dual purposes of being beautiful landmarks, and also giving insight into the countries’ vast history and importance. In Ireland, the …show more content…
One example of this, is that media can influence whether a culture is more collectivistic or more individualistic. If a culture is more collectivistic, that insinuates that their obligation is linked to a sense of duty to a group and an interdependence between members of their culture (Neuliep, 2014, p. 51). On the other hand, if a culture is more individualistic, the members will be more concerned with a personal independence (Neuliep, 2014, p. 50). Mass media are large contributors to this decision of collectivism vs. individualism. For example, in British mass media, the media channels influence the shift from collectivism to individualism because most television programs are produced in individualistic cultures (Triandis, McCusker, & Hui, 1990). This is not just seen in British mass media either. One of the reasons that the United States is such an individualistic culture is because of the mass media influence which pushes the culture towards that stance (Harms, 2007). Through the eyes of an individualistic culture, it inhibits one’s ability to understand someone else’s point of view, and can even restrain one’s empathetic response. Countries which hold an individualistic stance are often affected in these ways. Furthermore, mass media channels’ power is undeniable and the producers should be more careful about what they are producing as it is a key item in the shaping on a
Identifying Culture
To pinpoint a single, exact, uncontroversial definition of culture would be a difficult task. In its broad sense, culture is a collection of information or meanings that is shared between individuals or groups, and maintained across generations over a period of time (Kashima, 2010). Culture is therefore both influential to society and significant to the formation of collective and individual self-concepts of identity (Kashima, 2010). As such, culture is a vital concept to understand.
Culture Through Architecture A lot can be discovered about a country’s culture through their architecture. Architecture is evidence for a country’s history and where their roots began (Gardiner, 2011). Examples of this can be seen in many countries such as the colosseums of Rome, the pyramids of Egypt, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Europe. These are all significant examples of architecture which serve dual purposes of being beautiful landmarks, and also giving insight into the countries’ vast history and importance. In Ireland, the …show more content…
One example of this, is that media can influence whether a culture is more collectivistic or more individualistic. If a culture is more collectivistic, that insinuates that their obligation is linked to a sense of duty to a group and an interdependence between members of their culture (Neuliep, 2014, p. 51). On the other hand, if a culture is more individualistic, the members will be more concerned with a personal independence (Neuliep, 2014, p. 50). Mass media are large contributors to this decision of collectivism vs. individualism. For example, in British mass media, the media channels influence the shift from collectivism to individualism because most television programs are produced in individualistic cultures (Triandis, McCusker, & Hui, 1990). This is not just seen in British mass media either. One of the reasons that the United States is such an individualistic culture is because of the mass media influence which pushes the culture towards that stance (Harms, 2007). Through the eyes of an individualistic culture, it inhibits one’s ability to understand someone else’s point of view, and can even restrain one’s empathetic response. Countries which hold an individualistic stance are often affected in these ways. Furthermore, mass media channels’ power is undeniable and the producers should be more careful about what they are producing as it is a key item in the shaping on a